Yet another busy week for IBC! We are putting the finishing touches on the Road 1 safety course. I know many new bicyclists have e-mailed us and want to know when these course will begin to be delivered. We need a parking lot free of snow and we should be ready to start classes. I hope you have a group that is looking forward to signing up for Road 1.
On Tuesday, I will be leaving for Washington, D.C. for the National Bike Summit. I am really looking forward to a busy couple of days in D.C., but most importantly, I look forward to meeting with Iowa's Congressional delegation. There are several items that we will be discussing with our representatives and senators, but overall, we want to thank them for increasing support for bicycling and walking and encourage more support in the future.
Top of the list is the Bicycle Commuter Act. Basically, this extends the same fringe benefits that employees taking transit or driving automobiles enjoy. Today, an employer can purchase a parking pass or bus pass for workers or even provide reimbursement for a bicycle commuter. The difference is a bus pass is a untaxed benefit, but the reimbursement for the bike commuter counts as personal income and is taxed as such. We just need an even playing field and this may what it takes to encourage more people to commute by bicycle.
Maybe as important is the board meeting for the Thunderhead Alliance of State and Local Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocates. We will be announcing the appointment of Jeff Miller to the position of President and CEO of Thunderhead. Jeff comes from the successful Bicycle Coalition of Maine, which Iowa has modeled several of our efforts after. Jeff was the senior-most executive director of any Thunderhead organization, so he brings a lot of experience to a great organization.
Internet access at the Reagan Building is expensive, but I will have contact at the evenings. I have setup text updates on my phone, so I will try to do a little blogging during the sessions.
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